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U21s End Season With Home Defeat
Monday, 25th Apr 2016 15:47

Town’s U21s ended their season with a 2-0 home defeat to a strong Millwall side at Playford Road, Kyron Farrell and Joseph Otudeko scoring the goals for the Lions.

Millwall, who were looking to secure second in the Professional Development League Two South table and a place, included former Blues skipper Carlos Edwards at right-back, while ex-Town midfielder Ed Upson also started alongside centre-half Sid Nelson and Ireland international keeper David Forde.

Teddy Bishop and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were the most experienced players involved for the Blues at a rainy Playford Road.

The visitors went ahead in the fourth minute via the game’s first shot, Farrell’s 25-yard strike hitting Joe Robinson and wrong-footing Town keeper Michael Crowe.

Upson, who scored the winning goal for the Blues in the 2005 FA Youth Cup final, curled a freekick over on 10 in a half of very few chances.

Bishop was replaced at the break by Conor McKendry in what looked to be a pre-planned substitution.

The midfielder, who came on as a 71st minute sub at Middlesbrough on Saturday, was far more involved that he had been in the previous U21s home game against Sheffield Wednesday and seems likely to have greater first-team involvement against the MK Dons on Saturday.

Five minutes after the restart the Lions went close to making it 2-0 when Crowe superbly saved Jamie Philpot’s downward header from Farrell’s right-sided cross.

Ireland U18 international Shane McLoughlin was forced off by an injury on 53 and England U17 international Ben Morris took over up front. Soon after, Nelson was booked for a wild challenge on Monty Patterson well after the ball had gone.

The Blues came closest to scoring in the 61st minute when Morris was sent away on the right and cut the ball back to McKendry. The Northern Irish U17 international laid the ball into the path of New Zealand U23 cap Patterson but Forde somehow managed to divert his shot over.

Flynn Downes replaced Maitland-Niles on 64, then a minute later Millwall went 2-0 in front when Otudeko, on trial from Leyton Orient, worked himself space before unleashing a powerful 25-yard strike which hit the net having grazed the inside of the post.

The visitors continued to look the more threatening side and Robinson made an important sliding interception to stop a Kris Twardek cross from the left from reaching Philpot.

The otherwise solid Forde failed to hold onto Adam McDonnell’s low cross from the left in the 80th minute but Morris was unable to profit.

Millwall sub Noel Leighton should have made it 3-0 with seven minutes remaining when played through on goal but took too heavy a touch and Crowe was able to close him down and save. After the ball had been half cleared Otudeko shot well wide.

Shortly before the end Leighton was again thwarted by Crowe, the Wales U21 call-up saving his shot from a tight angle on the Millwall right with his foot.

The Lions never really ever looked in any danger of failing to win having claimed the early lead against a much less experienced Town side and the result means they confirm second in the division and go into the end-of-season play-offs.

Town’s U21s will finish their season in seventh place in the 10-team Professional Development League Two South table.

U21s: Crowe, Emmanuel, Kenlock, McDonnell, C Smith, Robinson, Maitland-Niles (Downes 64), Bishop (McKendry 46), Patterson, McLoughlin (Morris 53), Blanchfield. Unused: Marsden, Fowler.

Millwall: Forde, Edwards, Chesmain, Upson, Nelson, Mbulu, Twardek, Farrell, Philpot, White, Otudeko. Subs: Brown, Girling, Donovan, Wisson, Leighton.


Photo: Action Images



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battyblue added 16:10 - Apr 25
Just about sums up the season for first team and under 21 just not good enough.
8

RaymondovicBlue added 16:31 - Apr 25
Report says AMN started and that he was replaced ..... did he do anything else in between worthy of note?

At least Teddy got some minutes
1

Mark added 16:33 - Apr 25
15 points behind Colchester! :-(
2

rinkydinkpanther added 16:47 - Apr 25
*applause*
0

rickw added 17:00 - Apr 25
Kennedy Out!! ;-)
4

jas0999 added 17:13 - Apr 25
What a sorry state. Terrible run for the first team since 2016 started and the U21 team also isn't good enough. I would send AMN back to Arsenal - hardly done that well. As for Bishop I would get him fit for next season. Wouldn't risk a first team outing with nothing to play for.
4

Cloddyseedbed added 17:38 - Apr 25
jas0999, agreed. I summed AMN up months ago, I'd have sent him back then. Totally the wrong attitude, but so typical of so many youngsters starting out in the game today. I've watched the U21's a bit this season and not convinced and inspired by anyone. I had high hopes for Emmanuel this season but he seems to have gone backwards.
3

blueboy1981 added 19:20 - Apr 25
Par for the course - so why expect more ?

Don't be too harsh on AMN - he's had the Football nous taken out of him, and not been allowed to play his game.

Bet he can't wait for the season to end, so he can get away from the place.

Bringing good potential players in is one thing - but making the most of them, and not destroying them is another ........ !!!! Sounds rather, and all too familiar - don't you think ... ???
1

MattinLondon added 20:26 - Apr 25
Must be odd being a young player in the U21. The Entire ethos for academies encourages fluid football, the ball on the deck as well as composure and technique. Then they see the first team in action where the play is slow and then followed by a long ball forward.

Let's face it some of the goals we have conceded this season have been poor yet the back four has almost been undroppable. Maybe some young players get too much too soon but when a manager seems to have his favourites then your attitude sort of drops as well.
5

runningout added 21:16 - Apr 25
clueless set up... and someone thinks our squad is good enough to triumph next season.... oh dear..
5

BluedanW added 22:16 - Apr 25
I can't see many premier league managers queing up to loan out their talented youngsters to us, for Mick to drain the exciting football skills out of them
4

Cloddyseedbed added 22:32 - Apr 25
I agree with the other comments, not exactly the place any youngster would want to brag about learning his trade at with the current regime of how to play football and Prem managers wanting their players to gain experience if loaned to us.
4

BrettenhamBlue added 04:17 - Apr 26
hoofball hasn't worked for the U21's so not sure why they are continuing with it.
4


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